Page 26 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

This dinner had an ulterior motive, and I swore that if she wanted to poison me, we were both dragging our souls to hell at the same time.

“—what if I am shooting my shot?”

“It’s a night you want, then? I have a reservation made at the Glacier.”

She choked on the rest of her words, eyes big and fingers frozen on the table. Her shock was quick. If I’d blinked, I’d have missed it. “Yeah…yeah, sure, we could—”

“You’re the worst actress I’ve ever seen.” I dropped my arms and made sure she saw the seriousness in my gaze. “Last chance to tell me what this is, Leonya.”

The act died, and the real Leo emerged from the rubble of pretense. One exhale was all it took to wipe the anxiety off her face.

“A proposal, Rafayel.”

“Marriage?”

“Business.” Steeled eyes held mine from across the table. “I don’t like it, but it is what it is.”

And all the heat and burning flew off the rooftop. A spark was certainly there between me and this savage female, but this was business, purely business, as it should have been.

I wiped the smirk off and revealed my concern with a frown.

“A proposal for what, exactly?”

The grimace on her face was enough proof that she’d be better off swallowing needles than having this conversation with me. Her father was undoubtedly the brains behind this. Leonora was too fucking stubborn to come knocking or begging.

“An alliance.”

I was not expecting that. “Interesting.”

She glared. “We’re making an offer that will benefit both families: joint business ventures with equal splits in profit, shared resources, and mutual protection. In summary, we’d have each other’s backs.

“And this is suddenly springing up afteryourgenius plot to snatch Jabril. Where were your thoughts on mutual protection, equality, and fairness then? Or are you worried about your soul rotting in hell and have come to make peace?”

“Fuck you, asshole.”

I smiled. My questions were met with silence. Although, I’d gotten the answer I needed.

There was only reason Enzo would submit a proposal for an alliance. They were running from something they considered themselves too weak to handle. Or maybe—

I lifted the glass to my lips. “Your powers are failing, aren’t they? The Italians are losing their grip, battling to regain influence—”

“I didn’t come here to be mocked.” Her teeth were clenched, like an uncultured dog ready to sink its canines into flesh.

“That’s on you, then.” I crossed my legs. “I’m not listening to a fucking word you say unless you’re transparent with the details.”

“I am being transparent. I’ve summarized the terms of the proposal. Both families benefit. We’ll grow stronger and garner more leverage together. Aren’t you all about the power?”

I listed with my fingers. “And intelligence, and taking precautions, and basic fishing for reasons to know why an enemy suddenly wants to be best pals. Common sense, if you ask me. But I know you and your kin can’t relate to those sorts of things.”

If she could stab me with the knife across the table, she would. Her glare screamed bloody murder.

“I’m warning you, Rafa—”

“And I’m informing you that I have the entire perimeters ofBella Italiasurrounded.” I flashed a phony smile of my own. “One wrong move and your brains will be served on the golden platter for dinner, sweetheart. Details or nothing.”

Leonora scoffed. “I’d tell you the details, and you’d still have the upper hand.”

“You’re smart.”

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